Door speakers

[firstorbit84]

I've read that the stock head unit can't really power any better door speakers, and that the best bet is to just get a small amp and better speakers.

So I guess I'm looking for a 2 channel or 4 channel amp with about 25-50w per channel, so about 50-200 Watts total, with speaker level inputs, so that I can just wire it into the factory radio harness.

Then I was just going to put in some decent 2-way or 3-way door 6.5" or 6.75" speakers all around.

Anyone with more experience want to chime in on exactly what to look for?

 

[slitzell]

Max

You should just upgrade your receiver. I put a double din pioneer dvd receiver.it was only 265 and it puts out alot more power to the speakers than stock due to the built in amp

My audio setup as of now

Pioneer double din w/12in sub/amp combo

My speakers sound great, and have not blown in the 7 months ive had the car

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I don't think I'll be swapping out the factory deck because I like the way it looks and the functionality it has built in. When it comes time for me to start working on ICE I'll be sticking with what I know works and that has almost always been class D Alpine Amps.

this would be able to power most any 6.5" drivers you would stuff in the Sonic

Alpine PDX-F6

For speakers I like Kenwood, Fosgate, Kicker, and X_plod.

 

[slitzell]

All my factory stuff work with my aftermarket receiver. Onstar/bluetooth etc.


Speakers: polk audio, alpine type r, boston aquistics(sp)

 

[sonic007]

I would just do an alpine power pack. They are about 150 and are really easy to hide. Gives it about 50 watts rms to each speaker. Lotss more power.

 

[firstorbit84]

All my factory stuff work with my aftermarket receiver. Onstar/bluetooth etc.


Speakers: polk audio, alpine type r, boston aquistics(sp)

What about steering wheel controls and voice activation? are you using the Bluetooth that was built into the car or the one built into the aftermarket head unit? Plus don't you lose the ability to change some of the factory settings like the timing of the exterior lights and such?

 

[sonic007]

Most aftermarket units allow you to retain steering wheel controls. The bluetooth goes through the new unit. Most new units have voice activation.

 

[firstorbit84]

yeah but you usually have to buy an extra box to retain steering wheel controls. another 50-60 bucks

 

[007CobaltLS]

Not what you're looking for, but since others put their 2 cents in, I like the OLD RF speakers...like 10+ years ago. I currently have Boston Acoustics SC front and back in the Cobalt and they're good. I would like to go with either MB Quart or Focal, but that won't happen anytime soon. I have also had pretty good results with Polk dB series of years past.

I know when I actually get the car, I won't be touching the MyLink...I'll just be integrating amps and aftermarket speakers (component set up front, mid bass in back, and subs under the rear floor). I may actually try JL for the speakers...I've heard mixed reviews about them (as long as I don't pay retail I'm ok trying them), but don't plan on buying their subs anymore. Good subs, just overpriced for what they are.

 

[sonic007]

yeah but you usually have to buy an extra box to retain steering wheel controls. another 50-60 bucks

At least. We sell it for 105. U can get it online for around 50

 

[firstorbit84]

honestly I think I was just looking for something like an Alpine power pack, but at 150 I think I might be better off just finding a cheap used amp on Craigslist or Ebay. it will take a bit more wiring and maybe a little larger but the effect should be the same.

how many ohms are the stock speakers?

 

[sonic007]

honestly I think I was just looking for something like an Alpine power pack, but at 150 I think I might be better off just finding a cheap used amp on Craigslist or Ebay. it will take a bit more wiring and maybe a little larger but the effect should be the same.

how many ohms are the stock speakers?

The are 4 ohm. Yea we just like it cuz its about the same power, smaller and way easier to wire up. I dont trust ebay or craigslist with car audio. Especially used.

 

[SonicBoy24]

Pioneer double din w/12in sub/amp combo

I want to go Double DIN, but I want to keep the info. display.
Can you tell me what aftermarket receiver you used?

I don't have a lot of experience with aftermarket head units, I've only installed 2 (a sony xplode in a cavalier and a kenwood single din with info. display in a g6).

thanks.

 

[slitzell]

yeah but you usually have to buy an extra box to retain steering wheel controls. another 50-60 bucks

The metra dash kit for any aftermarket unit forthe sonic allows you to keep steering wheel controls etc.

 

[rdss]

I plan on going with the Kicker Soundstage with the factory wired amp for the door speakers and the powered sub for the trunk. Once I get that in I will consider moving up to better door speakers with the added power.

 

[slitzell]

yea i did my sub and double din at once, and since then ive been happy with the stock speakers. once i blow them ill replace them and go big

Fistorbit: you are married with kids, so in my mind i dont see you needing new speakers, wires, and an amp for the levels that id assume you listen to.

The loudness of mine over stoc id say is about double and the sound is crisper. I listen to everything loud from metal to hip hop and have had no issues

 

[007CobaltLS]

Fistorbit: you are married with kids, so in my mind i dont see you needing new speakers, wires, and an amp for the levels that id assume you listen to.

The loudness of mine over stoc id say is about double and the sound is crisper. I listen to everything loud from metal to hip hop and have had no issues

That doesn't mean anything. You can still listen at low levels and have a better sound. Even with my Cobalt, I have my son in the back...I have all aftermarket. Granted he's not in the car all the time so Tues through Friday whenever I drive, I can have it louder. When I have him, I also fade the speakers 2/3 of the way to the front as he doesn't need to have it so loud right by his head, but the volume is a 1/3-1/2 the volume of when I'm by myself anyway.

Sound quality is sound quality no matter the listening volume.

 

[firstorbit84]

I agree with cobalt; the sound quality of the stock system is not very good even at low or moderate levels.

plus my kids are not with me 90 percent of the time. or if I do have the kids I'm usually in the CX 9 which already has a factory Bose stereo with subwoofer.

Steve, do all of your steering wheel control buttons work? I've had experience with some steering wheel control adapters (or head units) not allowing me to program every button

 

[slitzell]

well the quality of my system with the increased wattage is much better than the stock setup. i believe the sound quality to be more than adequate and with the 8band eq on the unit, i have fine tuned it to my liking.

Yes my steering wheel controls work great, and actually the metra kit allows one to customize what the buttons do, so i can change them to buttons i prefer. the metra kit also allows one to adjust the chime volumes, which i have turned completely off

But hey if you want to rip all your doors off and run new wires throughout and install an amp go ahead, as i plan on doing it too in the future, but if you just wanna increase your sound quality and loudness, i think this is much easier and much more user friendly for ipod and other usb devices.

any why ur post is valid cobalt, you have no comparison to make as you dont own a sonic, so therefore you can not compare he before and after in this situation

 

[firstorbit84]

if I go the double din route I would want GPS, backup camera, and mirroring for my phone's screen via mhl/hdmi which all require extra money. plus the steering wheel control adapter and face plate.

I would be at a grand before I knew it and I would still have the stock speakers.

my ultimate goal is to just upgrade the sound system a little bit and then eventually add a screen in a custom housing to the upper dash cubby that mirrors my phone and can be used with a backup camera